| Thomas McCann was born about 1875 near Aughnacloy.
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| Thomas was educated at Armagh and Maynooth Colleges, at both of which he showed much talent, and his name regularly appeared on prize lists. On the football field he was equally formidable, playing on the left wing.
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| Thomas McCann was ordained a priest in 1899.
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| Thomas McCann served as a chaplain to the army during the Boer War and was the recipient of many encomiums from the officers in the field for the way he did his work.
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| Rev McCann returned to Ireland in 1903 and was appointed curate in the parish of Kildress.
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| He later moved to Ardboe. During his nine years in the two Cookstown districts, he made many friends outside his own parishioners by his courtesy and liberal views.
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| Rev McCann took a keen interest in the Irish language revival.
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| The 1911 census lists Thomas as age 36, living at house 7 in Mullanahoe, Munterevlin, Ardboe. Very unusually, the census form is filled out in Irish.
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| Rev Thomas McCann was a fine horseman, and is remembered by many who were acquainted with him as he rode into town.
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| About 1912 Rev Thomas McCann was moved to Camlough in County Armagh.
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| In November 1914 Rev Thomas McCann, B.D. was appointed Catholic chaplain to the troops at the Front on the nomination of his Eminence, Cardinal Logue.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th November 1914:
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| Rev Thomas McCann, curate of Camlough, formerly of Dunamore and Moortown, has been appointed chaplain with the Army in France on the nomination of his Eminence, Cardinal Logue. He leaves on Monday.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 21st November 1914:
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| Rev Thomas McCann, B.D., who has been appointed Catholic chaplain to the troops at the Front on the nomination of his Eminence, Cardinal Logue, is a Tyrone man, being born near Aughnacloy. He was educated at Armagh and Maynooth Colleges, at both of which he showed much talent, and his name always appeared on prize lists, while on the football field he was equally formidable, first on the left wing. After his ordination in 1899, he served as a chaplain to the army during the Boer War and was the recipient of many encomiums from the officers in the field for the way he did his work. He returned to Ireland in 1903 and was appointed curate in the parish of Kildress, subsequently removing to Ardboe, and a couple of years ago to Camlough. During his nine years in Cookstown districts he made many friends outside his own parishioners by his courtesy and liberal views. He was a fine horseman, and is remember bed by many who were acquainted with him as he rode into town, and there is little doubt that he will be as near the fighting line as his sacred duties permit. But while fond of outdoor life he is a deep theologian and a sound scholar, takes a particular interest in the Irish language revival. Kindly, gentle, hospitable, he was popular with all creeds and classes who wish him a safe return.
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| Reporting on Thomas’s planned departure, the ‘Newry Reporter’ stated:- ‘During his stay in Camlough he was held in the highest esteem by all sections of the people. He was a splendid horseman, and his manly figure on the roads of the parish will be much missed.’
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| Rev Thomas McCann would have been about 43 years old when the war ended.
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